AIA 150 Visioning and Design Workshop Reports: Kingston Springs

Revitalizing the Town Center(s) and Conserving Open Land in Kingston Springs

On Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, 2008, citizens of Kingston Springs, Tennessee convened at Harpeth High School for Community Assessment and Visioning Workshops on Revitalizing the Town Center(s) and Conserving Open Land in Kingston Springs. This was the third of three such sets of workshops being convened in Middle Tennessee as part of the American Institute of Architects 150 Blueprint for America Middle Tennessee Initiative.

In Middle Tennessee, this program focuses on the challenges communities face under going rapid growth. Kingston Springs could be characterized as a rural hamlet. There are two essential elements in the AIA Middle Tennessee Initiative. The first is to address the interrelated challenges of revitalizing town centers and conserving open land through the AIA’s Ten Principles of Livable Communities, and second to get AIA architects intensively engaged for a two day period with the citizens of the three selected communities- as grassroots outreach, public awareness, and cultural connectivity.

AIA-150 Kingston Springs Case Study, PDF
AIA-150 Kingston Springs Summary Report Presentation, PDF

THE A.I.A. 150 BLUEPRINT FOR AMERICA COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT AND VISIONING WORKSHOP FOR KINGSTON SPRINGS

This report was produced by T. K. Davis, Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design and Design Director at the Nashville Civic Design Center

REVITALIZING THE TOWN CENTER(S) AND CONSERVING OPEN LAND IN KINGSTON SPRINGS SUMMARY REPORT
A partnership of the Town of Kingston Springs, A.I.A. Middle Tennessee, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, the Greater Nashville Regional Council, the Nashville Civic Design Center and the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design.
-March 14-15, 2008 Held at Harpeth High School, Kingston Springs, Tennessee

 

Executive Summary

On Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, 2008, citizens of Kingston Springs, Tennessee convened at Harpeth High School for Community Assessment and Visioning Workshops on “Revitalizing the Town Center(s) and Conserving Open Land in Kingston Springs.” This was the third of three such sets of workshops being convened in Middle Tennessee as part of the American Institute of Architects 150 Blueprint for America Middle Tennessee Initiative, which celebrates through community interaction the AIA’s 150th birthday. In Middle Tennessee, this program focuses of the challenges communities face under going rapid growth. The other two communities involved have been Robertson County, a historically rural agrarian landscape, and Lebanon, a commuter rail terminus with transit-oriented development potential. Kingston Springs could be characterized as a rural hamlet. There are two essential elements in the AIA Middle Tennessee Initiative. The first is to address the interrelated challenges of revitalizing town centers and conserving open land through the AIA’s Ten Principles of Livable Communities, and second to get AIA architects intensively engaged for a two day period with the citizens of the three selected communities– as grassroots outreach, public awareness, and cultural connectivity.

In the case of Kingston Springs, while all concerned citizens in the town were welcome to participate, letters of invitation were sent out to approximately 500 stakeholders offering a diverse range of perspective, including residents, business owners, elected and appointed civic leaders and officials. The attendance both days was robust and energetic. Approximately 86 citizens participated both days, with 23 architects and planner facilitators on site as well. Invited stakeholders were strongly encouraged to participate both days of the workshop, because the education, assessment, and visioning discussions during both days were mutually reinforcing, although attendance at either day alone was also very beneficial.

On Friday, following welcoming remarks by Mayor John McLeroy and Marion Fowlkes, and an overview and orientation by Cyril Stewart AIA of Vanderbilt University, attendees viewed the provocative National Public Television documentary by Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Hylton entitled Save Our Land, Save Our Towns. This comprehensive overview of the history and issues of post-war American growth underscored the point that conserving rural land and revitalizing town centers are mutually reinforcing intentions. After the video concluded, the entire room broke out into groups of approximately seven citizens at each table led by one or more architects serving as facilitators. Each table assessed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks facing Kingston Springs. These ideas were prioritized and then reported back to the auditorium as a whole. As Mayor McLeroy remarked the next morning, there were far more strengths than weaknesses cited, and far more opportunities than risks (averaging 11.6 strengths cited per table, 7.9 weaknesses, 10 opportunities, and 4.8 risks).

Saturday was similar in its structure. Following greetings and general information, T. K. Davis FAIA of the Nashville Civic Design Center and the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design made a presentation on “Communities By Design,” expanding on the AIA’s Ten Principles of Livable Communities. Dr. Bridget Jones of Cumberland Region Tomorrow then gave a presentation on “The Quality Growth Toolbox.” Following this, the entire group once again broke out into smaller groups, led by architect facilitators, to address (each table in their own way) the AIA’s Ten Principles of Livable Communities, specifically in light of the potential for revitalizing the town’s center(s) and conserving open land in Kingston Spring’s future. Drawing on base maps was encouraged. Ideas and responses were again prioritized by citizens and then again reported back to the auditorium as a whole.

All of the recorded results of both days workshops were collected and transcribed by the Nashville Civic Design Center, with similar ideas from the different tables grouped into “affinity” clusters. The participants ideas and responses in these exercises with the highest citizen priority are listed as “what we heard” and characterized as citizen observations, and are found on the subsequent four pages of this report.

The following general observations were made by the participating leadership of the AIA Middle Tennessee, Cumberland Region Tomorrow, the Greater Nashville Regional Council, the Nashville Civic Design Center, and the University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design:

• There is a clear consensus and mandate for guiding growth and conserving open land in Kingston Springs. One valuable outcome of the workshops has been to confirm this consensus as a basis for future decision-making.
• There is a general perception of “two differing town centers,” one historic near the former
  downtown rail depot, and the other commercial strip leading north from the interstate interchange.
• Continue the community visioning workshop process with the Cheatham County Planner, and
  check and update growth regulations for compatibility with the workshop consensus.
• Establish an outdoor public space in a strategic downtown location that can function as a town square, both as a visual amenity and as a place of public assembly for community events.
• The interstate interchange and commercial strip leading north from the interchange does not
  reflect the character of the town, is unattractive, and doesn’t function well. Employ “Context
  Sensitive Design” (see appendix VI) on this strip, and engage in dialogue with TDOT environmental
  planning leadership regarding funding potential, using the workshop outcomes as a community
  consensus and mandate.
• Continue learning and utilizing Randall Arendt’s Illustrated Design Principles, Model Village and Subdivision Design Ordinances, and Architectural Design Guidelines, in order to allow for compact development with significant land conservation. These are described in Crossroads, Hamlet, Village, Town: Design Characteristics of Traditional Neighborhoods, Old and New Revised Edition, an American Planning Association Planning Advisory Service Report Number 523/524.
• Reinforce all of Kingston Springs as a walkable, interconnected community linking its town centers, neighborhoods, schools and natural features.
• Join with other communities from Nashville to Dickson to continue advocacy for commuter rail on the CSX Nashville to Memphis line, with any subsequent development at a Kingston Springs’ station “transit-oriented development,” and not simply “transit adjacent development” (see appendix VII).
• Finally, Cumberland Region Tomorrow’s Quality Growth Toolbox should be a primary resource document
  in the future planning Kingston Springs. This document contains tools, incentives, resources, and
  contacts for public officials to implement the observations of citizens expressed in this assessment
  and visioning workshop, including their desire to ensure economic vitality through quality growth.

Day One: Assessment

Question 1:
What are the strengths of Kingston Springs that can help improve its town center and conserve open land? (presented in number of responses within the group)

STRENGTHS

42 Kingston Springs’ parks, river and trees

17 Proximity to Interstate 40 and its potential for new and better adjacent development

16 Small town sense of community

14 Good school system

13 Historical Downtown Main Street redevelopment

11 Planning Commission vigilance and unbuildable topography suggests open space can be preserved

10 Beautiful natural landscape and topography

9 Historic buildings and homes provide a community identity

Question 2:
What are the weaknesses of Kingston Springs that can hinder improving its town center and conserving open land?

WEAKNESSES

21 Interstate interchange does not reflect character of town and is unattractive

21 Lack of developable land due to topography and ownership

16 Insufficient shopping and activities downtown to attract local people

14 No attractive connection between downtown and the park and river

10 Lack of a “community center”

9 Lack of an ongoing comprehensive master plan

8 Small tax base revenues

Question 3:
What are the opportunities facing Kingston Springs that can help improve its town center and conserve open land?

OPPORTUNITIES

33 Promote quality growth through planning, policies and incentives

20 Nurture small town feel and recreational opportunities to attract tourism

10 Strengthen sense of community through citizen involvement

10 Establish a General Store, Farmers Market and/or weekend markets

8 Connect existing parks and river to town centers

7 Improve appearance of Interstate 40 exit and commercial strip

7 Open more quality shops and restaurants

Question 4:
What are the risks facing Kingston Springs that can hinder improving its town center and conserving open land?

RISKS

66 Uncontrolled, unplanned growth leading to loss of small town identity, along with traffic and
infrastructure problems

20 An inadequate and undiversified tax base coupled with rising infrastructure costs

16 Environmental encroachments, especially pollution of the Harpeth River

11 Landowners vision is incompatible with community vision.

9 Apathy or lack of follow-through on good ideas

Day 2: Visioning

Visioning Workshop Responses

Principle: CREATE NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY
How would you describe “the sense of place” in Kingston Springs?

13 Have more annual and monthly events downtown

10 Connecting the town center to enhanced parks and other neighborhoods

7 Encourage more housing choices

4 Establish a Farmers’ Market

3 Encourage more arts venues

3 Extend the hours of downtown shops

Principle: DESIGN MATTERS
How do you feel design excellence can promote a successful and healthy Kingston Springs?

11 Create more well designed landscapes and green spaces, such as at the town center and at the interstate exit and commercial strip

7 Enact sign controls and provide better “way finding”

7 Enact design guidelines

4 Provide lighting that doesn’t interfere with wildlife

4 Modernize with planned designs

4 Encourage lofts over businesses

4 Encourage Internet services and telecommunications

4 Encourage pedestrian downtown, not a drive thru downtown

4 Encourage “controlled” diversity

3 Coordinate public and private entities to provide funding

3 Encourage porches

Principle: PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
What environmental resources in Kingston Springs need to be protected and preserved?

21 Protect the river, its watershed, and its and rural character, as well as provide access

5 Protect and plant trees– especially at town centers

5 Encourage community awareness of litter issues

5 Protect views of hills (bluffs) north / south and green space east / west

4 At the Burns property, explore the feasibility of connecting continuous green spaces

4 Protect the open space between the river and downtown

4 Utilize the historic Civil War railroad bridge at the park

3 Preserve farms

Principle: PROVIDE CHOICES
What housing, shopping, recreation, or employment choices are currently missing in Kingston Springs?

9 Encourage smaller footprint, storefront retail stores

6 Encourage more restaurant dining options

5 Encourage the sale of fresh produce

5 Encourage a Farmers’ Market / Artisans Market

4 Encourage a wildlife shop for bird watching, canoeing and fly-fishing (watching, feeding,
equipment, books)

4 Encourage a senior living facility and senior taxi service

3 Encourage a medical specialty clinic (pediatrics, gerontology, etc.)

3 Encourage commuter rail service with the depot as an important destination

3 Encourage a Co-op or General Store / hardware store

3 Enhance two different commercial zones (downtown and at the interstate)

2 Provide a community center / swimming pool

Principle: DESIGN IN A HUMAN SCALE
How could Kingston Springs’ town center(s) become more compact and pedestrian friendly?

15 Provide bikeways and sidewalks with trees and benches

8 Improve parking behind downtown buildings

7 Increase destination areas and shops downtown

6 Add signage, sidewalks and trees at interstate exit areas

6 Preserve historic structures and encourage re-use rather than removal

5 Initiate a beautification effort from downtown to the schools and the interstate exit to connect to the historic town center

5 Encourage mixed-use in the downtown area with shops and apartments

3 Control the appearance of new subdivisions to conform with regional character

3 Continue to restrict undesirable types of businesses

Principle: PRESERVE URBAN CENTERS
How could we encourage the revitalization of the Kingston Springs community’s town center(s)?

8 Achieve consensus on a plan, including the business community, and stick to it

4 Create financial incentives

3 Support existing businesses and programs

3 Pursue grants available for local initiatives

3 Provide more information on the website in order to motivate people to use it

Principle: BUILD VIBRANT SPACES
What are the best public spaces in Kingston Springs, and where could new, memorable public spaces be established?

5 On Main Street

4 On the land next to High School and behind McDonald’s that links river-to-river

4 Acquire the flood plain for green space from the High School to a downtown park

4 With a General Store

4 Beautify the parking lot at the Town Hall

4 With an Artist Co-op

3 In the parks (example: amphitheater)

3 With a new downtown park

3 With a community center at the old school or by the lakes

3 With a senior citizen center

3 At a wildlife preserve in park

3 With a Farmers’ Market

Principle: VARY TRANSPORTATION
What additional transportation options, including walking, biking, driving, and public transit, are needed in Kingston Springs?

28 Provide walking and biking paths linking uptown, downtown, parks, river, schools and
neighborhoods (such as across the Harpeth River connecting the Woodlands and the city park)

9 Work toward establishing light rail or commuter rail between Dickson and Nashville

4 Repair old Civil War Bridge to link two parks

3 Provide bike paths

Principle: CONSERVE LANDSCAPES
Where should open space be preserved in Kingston Springs?

9 Provide and use greenways to connect all of Kingston Springs

6 Zoning for new developments should continue to require open space

4 Conserve existing parks

4 Restore and preserve the Civil War Bridge

4 Conserve the interactive garden at the library

4 Conserve open space at the floodplain and river corridor

3 Promote mixed-use, higher density development to preserve community green space

3 Conserve tree-lined streets

3 Require development setbacks from roadways to retain views and natural beauty

3 Utilize the old elementary school (i.e. City Hall, community center, etc.)

3 Incorporate more green space in future commercial developments

Principle: ENCOURAGE MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT
Where and how could mixed-use development, integrating different land uses and varied building types, be encouraged in Kingston Springs?

7 Encourage mixed use at the Interstate 40 interchange, including better lodging

5 The old school could become a community center or retirement / assisted living

4 Encourage a mixed-use corridor linking both schools (High School and Middle School)

4 Establish a central park in the mixed-use zone downtown across from the library

4 Encourage mixed-use at Moore’s Circle with parking in the middle

3 Redevelop and improve the trailer park into mixed income and work force housing

3 Beautify and control with zoning the northeast entry into town